# US 10,119,101 B2 · Method of minimizing enzyme based aerosol mist using a pressure spray system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,119,101 B2 - Document ID: US10119101B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/263,003 - Filed: 2014-04-28 - Published: 2015-10-29 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-04-28 - Assignees: Ecolab USA Inc. - Applicants: Ecolab USA Inc. - Inventors: Nathan D. Peitersen; Charles Allen Hodge; Terrence Phillip Everson; Stephen James Engel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119101B2 ## CPC - C11D 3/38627: {containing lipase} - A47L 13/51: Storing of cleaning tools, e.g. containers therefor - B08B 3/026: {Cleaning by making use of hand-held spray guns; Fluid preparations therefor} - B08B 3/04: Cleaning involving contact with liquid - B08B 2203/0217: Use of a detergent in high pressure cleaners; arrangements for supplying the same - C11D 2111/44: Multi-step processes - C11D: DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL ## Abstract Disclosed herein are methods for improving safety and delivery of commercial application of cleaning compositions that include enzymes and other protein irritants. The methods reduce the mist and aerosolization of proteins so that inhalation and exposure to the same are reduced. According to the invention, when commercial pressurized sprayers are used to apply protein containing use cleaning compositions of up to 5 ppm protein, aerosolization is decreased to below 60 ng active protein per meter cubed. Applicants have also identified a specific metering tip/nozzle, dispense rate, and low pressure application of not more than 100 psi are critical to achieving the benefits of the invention. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for application of a chemical composition including enzymes with a pressurized spraying system, the method comprising: preparing a water thin use solution of the chemical composition, the use solution comprising from about 0.0001 to about 0.2 wt. % enzyme-containing concentrate, a pH modifier, and a surfactant, wherein the total amount of surfactant is from about 0.1 to about 25 wt. %, and wherein the composition is substantially free of anti-mist components; applying the use solution as a spray through a spray nozzle to a hard surface to be cleaned using pressure of 25 to 75 psi and a flow rate of about 0.5 to about 0.75 gal/min, wherein the spray has a particle size of about 675 to about 1500 μm, and wherein the method maintains aerosolized enzymes below 60 ng/m3. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the chemical composition is removed from said hard surface by wiping said hard surface so that dirt and debris on said hard surface are removed with the chemical composition. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said enzyme is lipase. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the spray nozzle is attached to a spray gun having a trigger mechanism. ### Claim 5 The method of claim, 1 wherein said spray has a particle size of approximately 750 microns. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the enzyme-containing concentrate comprises from about 1 wt. % to about 2.5 wt. % lipase. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the chemical composition is diluted to 2 ounces per gallon of water to form the use solution. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the method maintains aerosolized enzymes below 40 ng/m3. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-mist components are selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, polyacrylate, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the spray is produced at a 25 degree angle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the spray nozzle has an inlet diameter of ¼ inch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: alkylbenzene sulfonates, sodium xylene sulfonates, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonates, sodium linear tridecylbenzene sulfonates, potassium octyldecylbenzene sulfonates, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium palmityl sulfate, sodium cocoalkyl sulfate, sodium olefin sulfonate, C6-24 alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl polyglycosides, ethoxylated alkylamines, alkoxylates of ethylenediamine, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazoline, a 2-alkyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazoline, n-alkyl(C12-C18)dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, n-tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride monohydrate, dimethyl-1-naphthylmethylammonium chloride, sulfobetaines, N-coco-3,3-aminopropionic acid, n-tallow-3-amino-dipropionate disodium salt, 1,1-bis(carboxymethyl)-2-undecyl-2-imidazolinium hydroxide disodium salt, cocoaminobutyric acid, cocoaminopropionic acid, cocoamidocarboxy glycinate, cocobetaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine, polyether siloxane, cocoaminoethylbetaine, dimethylcetylamine oxide, dimethyllaurylamine oxide, dimethylmyristylamine oxide, dimethylstearylamine oxide, dimethylcocoamine oxide, dimethyldecylamine oxide, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the pH modifier is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the chemical composition further comprises an enzyme stabilizer, a water conditioning agent, and a hydrotope. ### Claim 16 A method for application of a chemical composition including enzymes with a pressurized spraying system, the method comprising: preparing a water thin use solution of the chemical composition, the use solution comprising from about 0.0001 to about 0.2 wt. % enzyme-containing concentrate, a pH modifier, and a surfactant, wherein the total amount of surfactant is from about 0.1 to about 25 wt. %; applying the use solution as a spray through a spray nozzle to a hard surface to be cleaned using pressure of 25 to 75 psi and a flow rate of about 0.5 to about 0.75 gal/min, wherein the spray has a particle size of about 675 to about 1500 μm, and wherein the method maintains aerosolized enzymes below 60 ng/m3. ### Claim 17 A method for application of a chemical composition including enzymes with a pressurized spraying system, the method comprising: preparing a water thin use solution of the chemical composition, the use solution comprising from about 0.0001 to about 0.2 wt. % enzyme-containing concentrate, a pH modifier, and a surfactant, wherein the total amount of surfactant is from about 1 to about 10 wt. %, and wherein the composition is substantially free of anti-mist components; applying the use solution as a spray through a spray nozzle to a hard surface to be cleaned using pressure of 25 to 75 psi and a flow rate of about 0.5 to about 0.75 gal/min, wherein the spray has a particle size of about 675 to about 1500 μm, and wherein the method maintains aerosolized enzymes below 60 ng/m3. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: alkylbenzene sulfonates, sodium xylene sulfonates, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonates, sodium linear tridecylbenzene sulfonates, potassium octyldecylbenzene sulfonates, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium palmityl sulfate, sodium cocoalkyl sulfate, sodium olefin sulfonate, C6-20 alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl polyglycosides, ethoxylated alkylamines, alkoxylates of ethylenediamine, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazoline, a 2-alkyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazoline, n-alkyl(C12-C18)dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, n-tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride monohydrate, dimethyl-1-naphthylmethylammonium chloride, sulfobetaines, N-coco-3,3-aminopropionic acid, n-tallow-3-amino-dipropionate disodium salt, 1,1-bis(carboxymethyl)-2-undecyl-2-imidazolinium hydroxide disodium salt, cocoaminobutyric acid, cocoaminopropionic acid, cocoamidocarboxy glycinate, cocobetaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine, polyether siloxane, cocoaminoethylbetaine, dimethylcetylamine oxide, dimethyllaurylamine oxide, dimethylmyristylamine oxide, dimethylstearylamine oxide, dimethylcocoamine oxide, dimethyldecylamine oxide, and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the pH modifier is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid and mixtures thereof. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the chemical composition further comprises an enzyme stabilizer, a water condition agent and a hydrotope.